By Sam Cole
Special to The SUN
According to preliminary data from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), 40 motorcyclists lost their lives during the first half of 2015 and 90 motorcyclists were killed in 2014; 97 percent were males. Nationally, per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclist fatalities occurred 26 times more frequently than passenger car occupants in a traffic crash.
“The riding season is still going strong, so we ask everyone to be careful, including the motorcycle riders themselves,” said Sam Cole, a public relations official for CDOT. “We’ve already seen 40 deaths this year; that’s 40 deaths too many.”
Motorcyclists make up just three percent of vehicles on the road, but account for 18 percent of overall fatalities. These fatalities tend to peak during the summer months with more motorcycles on the road. CDOT’s campaign raises awareness, urging drivers to use extra caution.
“Looking twice helps ensure drivers see motorcyclists,” said Cole.
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